India Eyes Doubling Tea Exports To Pakistan

Kolkata: India is looking at doubling its tea export to Pakistan in the next three years, Indian Tea Association (ITA) said Tuesday. “We are looking at increasing the export (to Pakistan) from around 25 million kg at present to 50 million kg by 2015,” ITA chairman C.S. Bedi told media persons here.
Pakistan imported around 25 million kg of tea from India in 2011 and is likely to import 30 million kg in 2012. “Consumption of tea in Pakistan is growing at a rate of two percent per year and we need to import more to cater to the demand,” Pakistan Tea Association chairman Hanif Janoo said.
Pakistan, the third largest tea importer of the world, is likely to import more South Indian tea to meet the rising domestic demand. Domestic consumption in the country is expected to be more than 235 million kg by 2015. “On the surface, it seems that import of South Indian tea will increase to meet the increased demand. But we are also looking for newer varieties from the north,” Janoo said.
-IANS